This year in Spring Training, Mariners pitcher and 2011 No. 2 overall draft pick Danny Hultzen will make the transition to pitching in relief, Ryan Divish notes for Baseball America (subscription only). It’s been a long fall for Hultzen, who was outrighted in November after his career was derailed by shoulder issues. Hultzen has pitched only 43 2/3 innings in the last three seasons. “Anybody in the league is making that same pick,” says GM Jerry Dipoto, who wasn’t in the organization when the Mariners selected Hultzen. “It’s unfortunate that it has worked out the way it has. But as I said to Danny on the phone when I told him we were removing him from the roster—I want to see him pitch in the big leagues.” Here’s more from the AL West.
- Adrian Beltre, who is eligible for free agency next winter, sees no reason why he wouldn’t consider an extension with the Rangers, MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan writes. Sullivan further notes that Beltre and the Rangers have had preliminary conversations. “[GM Jon Daniels] did what he promised in keeping the team around to win,” Beltre says. “Right now I’m confident with the way everything is going, there is no reason why I don’t want to stay here.” The Rangers have had a quiet offseason, with Tom Wilhelmsen, Tony Barnette and Justin Ruggiano among their key acquisitions. (They also re-signed Colby Lewis to bolster their rotation.) Obviously, though, their in-season addition of Cole Hamels, and subsequent division win, might have some impact on Beltre’s thinking. Beltre will be 37 near the start of the 2016 season, and he took a step back offensively last year, although his still-excellent defense continues to make him an impact player.
- The Rangers could effectively add another player this season in Jurickson Profar. Profar is throwing 135 feet expects to be 100% by mid-March, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets. The former top infield prospect missed the entire 2015 season due to shoulder trouble, although he hit well in the Arizona Fall League after the season.
- The Astros might have another move or two up their sleeves this offseason, Jon Heyman tweets. They were in on Justin Upton and have checked in on starting pitching, and owner Jim Crane tells Heyman the team has been “nosing around” for more talent. Lately, they’ve been connected to Yovani Gallardo, the top starting pitcher left on the free agent market.
Along with Ortiz, one of the most entertaining AB’s in the game to watch and hope Beltre can stick his agent (Boras) in the closet and get a quick extension with Texas accomplished. He’s really close, if not already there to HOF numbers. Getting just a tad over 200 hits more gets him to 3k and he’s a shoe in. If he can get a quickie deal worked out? No way he’s left out, unless his bat falls apart and don’t see that happening.
Only hindrance can see is his agent holding him out next winter and all the starting jobs filled with him left out.
Not only the 3,000 hits, but (if he stays healthy), has over 600 doubles and over 450 homers in his hip pocket. By the time Beltre hangs ’em up, he’s got one impressive HOF resume.
Agreed that he’s close, but I think he needs 3,000 hits to get in. Besides being known as a long time elite defender, which I don’t think the voters care as much about as offensive stats, he doesn’t have that one standout accomplishment on his resume to make him a shoe in. No ring, no MVP. Just once for hits leader and home run champion. The four Gold Gloves are nice for people who care about those.
That said, I do hope he gets in. He’s played the game hard and clean.
Good to know that Beltre played clean when out of nowhere he hit 48 homers with a shiny 1.017 OPS in 2004, the year before he became a free agent (and 2 years before testing began) … I had been suspicious, but not anymore. Thanks.
Yeah, whay think he may need the 3k hits. Modern analytical watchers look at everything and they see his low OBP, then older guys who look at his not so high overall Avg, 400HR, then 4GG. Wonder why allow in Beltre when Jim Edmonds and Dwight Evans are not in.. Both with similiar, if not some categories better numbers in some cases? Beltre may need those 3k hits be it fair or not.
Then they could just invoke the Andre Dawson and Jim Rice rule.. Where every body who had a 2-4 year period where they were great should be elected and put up numbers similar to Beltre/Evans/Edmunds??
Tough break for the Mariners, who could have selected Jose Fernandez, Francisco Lindor, George Springer, Anthiny Rendon, and others with the Hultzen pick. Hindsight though…
Yeah, this helps the “dont overrate prospects” narrative more than anything else. Carlos Correa and Brien Taylor both went at #1, a prospect could fall anywhere between those two, and we sometimes forget that.
I’d probably go with a Ken Griffey Jr./Chipper Jones to Brien Taylor scale for #1 picks.
It’s a shame Brien Taylor was injured before he had a chance to show what he could do. I heard something about him a few years ago,but dint recall anything. Nothing new there. I wonder what the hell he’s doing ? Let’s see if I can find out. I’m sure he had a Wikipedia page . I’d think,anyway. I’ll go check .
He’s in prison
If the Astros do anything it won’t involve signing anyone with draft pick comp attached. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a trade with Atlanta going down at some point if Atlanta decides to sell Freeman/Inciarte.
I agree Anthony on the part about not going after SP Yovanni G, and giving our pick to the Rangers of all teams!!! which that pick i believe was at 22nd pick!!
Now I think it’s gone up to the 16th, or 17th pick!! With Lownow, and his scout team working there magic, I’d rather just let him walk, and get fister, on a 1-2 year deal, if the price is right!!
Now the semi disagreement, which leaves me with question why, get freeman/inciarte?
And with those two players we would have to be giving up a lot!! What would you think it would take to make that deal happen? Almost to scared to ask lol!! Surely AJ Reed isn’t involved, so I’m guessing that Gomez/Bregman/kemp with a top 10 pitching prospect, which we need!!!
I’d rather make a package, and go after Tyson Ross, sign Doug Fister, and our rotation would be set!!
I agree we need another bat, but I just think For some weird reason Reed is going to beat out Singlton at 1st base!!
Now I just hope one of these four bright prospects, between Duffy/Davis/White/Moran, I liked Moran for ever to take over at 3rd, but I think white is my new favorite 3rd base prospect!! We shall see, 2-3 of them might not even make it to the bigs this year!!
One last thing, since we already have a logjam in outfield in the bigs, and lots of our top prospects are outfielders, be it young, couldn’t we package a couple, with one of those 4 3rd base men’s, and get a good solid return?
Sorry I never followed prospects, until we got correa, then seeing Reed, Fisher, Davis, white, and Philips, who’s sadly gone!!
I just get confused on the stros top 30 prospects, and what kinda return we could get for them!!!
Like I loved the Gomez/fiers trade, didn’t like the kazmir trade, and thought we gave up a lot for Giles!!
Even after that we still have one of the top group of prospects in mlb!!
Just curious what Stros fans with knowledge, and anybody else opinion for that matter to help understand!!!
Sorry for the long message, but I’m a avid follower, and have been dying to ask all these questions, and finally registered!!
so I can start asking questions, giving my respectful opinions, without having a message this long every time!!
Thanks
Jason